Congratulations to our November Yard of the Month: Tony Raffa & Scott Allbee at 1040 & 1042 Rutland

Owner and designer Tony Raffa and his husband Scott Allbee recently underwent a renovation of the property that added a detached garage, relocated an art studio and updated the cottage/office up front.

The hardscape acts to connect all four buildings and creates perennial bedding areas as well as a small yard for their two dachshunds. The parking court up front was a practical decision given the busy street parking and low hog wire fence and steel gate add privacy and security.

Having moved here full-time from the mountains of North Carolina, they chose two Carolina spruce trees to remind them of their vacation home as well as various perennials enjoyed in both regions.

The “be true to you” yard sculpture was relocated from there and is the creation of Dale Rogers, an artist from Haverhill, MA but purchased at the local Houston Bayou Arts Festival.

A bougainvillea vine frames the entrance to the art studio and adds a burst of color.  Potted plants speckle the decks and a recycled iron fence part serves as a wall planter below the 1956 vintage bicycle hanging on the side of the garage.

We want to thank Buchanan’s Native Plants for the gift certificate given to our November yard of the month recipients.